Most people have no idea how much Michele Pacholka ’84 Reinke does, and has always done, behind the scenes of our church and school to promote our Catholic faith and make things run smoothly. She is an angel who makes Holy Moments happen every day for people, especially those in need.
Here are just a few of her good works, which were listed on the form nominating her for the ALUMNUS of the YEAR award:
• She looks out for people in our parish who live alone, for example, Fr. Don; she helped him and his adopted sons over the years. She often checks in with older parishioners, assisting them in many ways.
• Her coordination/organization of the Altar Servers program for over 20 years, guided by Ed Wentworth. Plus her service as a Sacristan to the church.
• Michele’s attendance & involvement in funerals for the elderly in our parish community. She has read at these funerals and often fills the role of Eucharistic Minister, which is a blessing to the grieving families.
• Her involvement in nearly every year of SHAgala--checking coats and helping behind-the-scenes.
• Michele visited Marywood over the years to bring news, joy, prayer, and friendship to Sr. Thaddeus, Sr. Carmella, and Sr. Josine.
Michele has chaperoned retreats and church youth trips, and assisted with sacrament programs for the church and school. After 25 years of teaching, she left the rigor of her fourth grade classroom and, in a leap of faith, assumed a Teacher’s Aide position with the Kinder-Prep.
Michele continues to help organize the Advent and Lent activities each year for the elementary school, including Shadow Stations of the Cross for the church and the school’s Good Friday retreat. When school lets out each year, you can find her leading a Vacation Bible School segment. “My stack of t-shirts is quite colorful after so many years of VBS,” Michele said. To this day, she continues to spend every Wednesday night teaching Religious Ed (CCD).
She is a faithful financial supporter of the school, the church, and the SHA Foundation. With each passing year, Michele continues to give her whole HEART to Sacred Heart.
Michele will be honored during Homecoming 2024 festivities, scheduled for October 11, when her high school class is also planning a 40-year reunion.
Above: Michele (Pacholka ’84) Reinke receives her award from Alumni Association Director, James Thering.
Below: Michele (pacholka '84) Reinke is pictured with her 2023-24 kinder-prep students.
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